Development research assistant jobs

37 hours per week 

We offer hybrid working (3 days per week in the office, 2 days working from home plus an occasional non-team day in the office) 

 
About Us 

Yorkshire is one of the regions hardest hit by cancer. Together, we can change this.

Yorkshire Cancer Research is a charity dedicated to funding research so that you and those you love live longer healthier lives, free of cancer. 

Thanks to supporters, the charity funds vital cancer research and pioneers innovative new services for people with cancer. These life-giving medical breakthroughs are helping more people survive cancer – in Yorkshire, and beyond.

As an inclusive employer, our aim is to ensure our workforce reflects the rich diversity of our region. We believe a diverse workforce is vital to us taking action to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer more effectively in Yorkshire. We offer equal opportunities regardless of race, religion or belief, age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnerships. 

 
The Benefits 

We offer all employees a wide range of benefits including an enhanced contributory pension scheme, 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays (increasing to 30 days after 5 years’ service), flexible working arrangements, private medical insurance, enhanced maternity leave, career progression, learning and development, wellbeing initiatives, offices within walking distance of Hornbeam Park train station, and a whole lot more. 

We’ve got a strong set of values that inform everything we do and we’re looking for people who are aligned with these. As our Internal Communications Assistant, you will put people in Yorkshire at the heart of everything you do, unite with colleagues and other organisations in this cause, and dare to think big and bold to make positive solutions happen. 

 
The Role 
 
As an Internal Communications Assistant, you will play a vital role in supporting the charity’s Internal Communications function. Working closely with the Internal Communications Manager and the wider Communications team, the successful candidate will engage employees with the work of the charity, shining a light on the impact it has on Yorkshire and beyond.  

Reporting to the Internal Communications Manager, the role will support the delivery of the charity's strategy and align with the charity’s values. This will include generating content and supporting employee engagement initiatives and events.   

 
Specifically, you will: 

• Help keep the charity’s intranet up to date, making sure it always contains the most up-to-date charity news, information and resources.  

• Write and proof-read articles and other messages for use internally.  

• Support with the organisation and delivery of internal communication campaigns and events.  

• Assist in creating engaging content for internal newsletters, employee briefings, and digital channels (e.g. Intranet and Teams).  

• Represent the charity when communicating with employees, volunteers, and the public, acting as a brand ambassador and upholding the charity’s values.  

• Support and undertake target audience research to support communication activity.   

 
About You 

To be considered for this role, you will need:

• Proven experience working in a communication role.  

• Evidence of continued professional development relevant to the role.  

• Knowledge and / or qualification in a vocational or communications field (degree not essential).  

• A relevant, recognised communication qualification is preferred but not essential. 

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with an ability to use active listening skills and write professionally for different audiences.  

• Strong organisational skills and ability to perform work to an extremely high level of accuracy and professionalism, paying close attention to detail.  

• Ability to present data and information in a way that is meaningful to others.  

• Happy to work independently and ask for support where needed, but also work with, and support colleagues to work towards a common goal.  

• Ability to effectively prioritise workload to ensure the successful delivery of the role.  

• Confident with Microsoft SharePoint, Teams, and associated apps.  

• A collaborative team player who shows flexibility and an eagerness for new challenges.  

• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.  

• Comfortable sharing ideas, insights and learnings with colleagues to help the charity continually learn and improve.  

Application 

Before applying, please visit our Careers Page to view the full role profile and find out more about working for Yorkshire Cancer Research.

To apply please submit a CV and cover letter outlining your suitability for the role to Claire Wooldridge, Head of People, before 2nd March 2026. Please read our privacy notice before applying. 

Yorkshire Cancer Research is a responsible and flexible employer.We welcome any discussion for flexible working at the interview/offer stage where we will consider an individual’s circumstances against the needs of the charity. 

We positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates from all backgrounds. If we can make any reasonable adjustments to support your application please contact us.

Job Title - Research Assistant

Contract - 1 year Fixed Term

Hours - Full Time, 35 hours per week

Salary - £30,000 to £32,000 per annum (depending on experience)

Location - This position is based at our Bloomsbury office on the Coram Campus, with some flexibility to work from home up to 2 days per week, depending on business need.

Additional information - Applicants must currently hold the right to work in the UK, as no sponsorship is available for this role. An Enhanced and Child Barred DBS is also required for this role.

About Coram

Coram is committed to improving the lives of the UK’s most vulnerable children and young people.

We support children and young people from birth to independence, creating a change that lasts a lifetime.

Coram is the UK’s oldest children’s charity founded by Thomas Coram in London helping vulnerable children and young people since 1739. Today, the Coram group helps more than one million children, young people, families and professionals every year by providing access to the skills and opportunities they need to thrive.

About Coram International

Coram International is a research and consultancy team based at the Coram Children’s Legal Centre in London. Our team works with UN agencies, international charities and governments around the world to promote and protect children’s rights.

Our work involves designing and implementing research on a broad range of thematic areas relating to children. We also provide technical expertise to support the development of laws, policies and programmes to protect children’s rights as well as training for professionals and practitioners who work with children. Our thematic areas of focus include: the treatment of children within criminal justice systems; violence against children and child protection; protecting the rights of children in the context of migration and asylum; child marriage; adolescents’ access to sexual and reproductive health rights; the rights of children in the context of armed conflict and terrorism; and many others. We work in countries throughout the world.

About the role

We are seeking a committed, organised and flexible International Research Assistant to join our team. The Research Assistant will be line-managed by the Research Manager and work closely with team and partners to develop and implement research and consultancy projects. Please refer to the Job Description for details of the main duties and responsibilities and person specification.

To apply for this role, please click on the 'apply now' button below to complete the application.

Closing Date: 22nd February 2026 at 23:59pm

Interview Dates: 23rd February to 6th March 2026

Coram is an equal opportunities employer and we believe a diverse workforce enables us to improve the services to the children and families we help. We are genuinely committed to encouraging candidates from all sections of the community we seek to support. This includes those from global majority ethnic backgrounds, those that identify as LGBQT+, those with disabilities, those with lived experience of care, those with neuro-diversity, and those from other groups who are underrepresented at Coram.

If applicants feel comfortable, we would encourage them to draw on lived experience as well as professional experience in their personal statement as part of their application.

We are committed to the safeguarding of children and where appropriate will require the successful applicant to undertake a check from the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Registered Charity No. 281222.

We are looking for a Legacy & In Memory Fundraising Assistant to provide care and cultivation of In Memory donors, Legacy pledgers and enquirers by acting as first point of contact for these supporters and delivering ongoing one-to-one stewardship across various touchpoints including face to face, over the phone and via written correspondence.

You will support the Legacy & In Memory Fundraising Team to achieve its aims and objectives through undertaking key administrative tasks and assisting with the delivery of the team’s projects including marketing campaigns, supporter events and internal promotion of Legacy and In Memory messages to a range of audiences and stakeholders.

What we can offer you:

In return for your commitment to our cause and to recognise the value of our employees, Battersea offers a range of benefits to support the wellbeing of our employees. These include:

• 28 days of annual leave (plus 8 days paid public holidays) per year
• Discounted gym membership and cycle to work schemes
• Employee Assistance Programme and access to Wellbeing Resources
• Generous pension contributions - up to 10% employer contribution
• Free healthcare cash plan, where you can claim for a range of treatment including dental, optical, physiotherapy, chiropody and acupuncture every year
• Annual interest-free season ticket loans

We are also committed to providing learning and development to our employees. During your time with us, we provide support for your professional and career development, including access to digital and in-person training programmes, leadership and management training, mentoring and much more.

Our hybrid working model:

We operate a 50% onsite hybrid working model, with our office-based staff splitting their time between site based and home working. This enables our office-based staff to balance the benefits of home working with onsite collaboration and maintaining a connection to our cause.

Diversity and inclusion:

We are committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive experience for all staff, volunteers and trustees and those hoping to join us. We operate an anonymised shortlisting process and actively seek to ensure our process is fair and equitable for all.

We understand the value of diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences to help us deliver even more for our dogs and cats, and we welcome applicants from all sections of the community.

As a Disability Confident Committed Employer we will ask about any adjustments you may need at application and/or interview stage, and if you are offered a role with us, we’ll talk to you about any workplace adjustments you may need to help you perform at your best. If you would like to talk more about this, please contact us. Greyscale copies of the recruitment pack are also available on request.

More about us:

At Battersea, we aim to never turn away a dog or cat in need of help. We give each one lots of love, expert care and get to know their characters and quirks so we can find them a new home that’s just right for them. Join us and help us be here for every dog and cat, wherever they are, for as long as they need us.

Acceptable use of AI:

At Battersea, we value expertise. We recognise each candidate that applies to us will have a range of expertise they can offer us, so we want to hear about this in your own words. We understand the support that generative artificial intelligence (AI) software can offer but it can also lead to numerous applications presenting as generic and impersonal. This makes it difficult to gain understanding of your unique experience.

To best showcase yourself, we encourage you to write your responses without the assistance of AI. If you require the use of AI software to aid in completing your application, we ask you use the generative responses as a prompt for writing your answers and avoid copying and pasting. You must also ensure the information presented in your application accurately reflects your experience.

Closing date: 22nd February 2026

All applications must be submitted before the closing date advertised. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications is received.

Interview Date(s): One round interview (in person) w/c 2nd March 2026

For full details on the role, please download the recruitment pack.

You will provide day-to-day administrative support to the Managing Director (MD); editing and disseminating organisational materials for internal and external audiences; support preparation of Board of Trustee and Executive Team reports and meetings, and minute meetings; represent Afghanaid in coordination meetings. You will be required to work closely and effectively with all other departments of Afghanaid to achieve unity of purpose, results and optimal use of organisational resources. 

Main Duties

• Coordinate the MD’s daily diary, screen email, draft correspondence and prepare documents for meetings and professional appointments.  

• Provide preparatory materials and coordinate the MD’s external representation and fundraising engagements, draft talking points and speeches, visual presentation and workshop materials.

• Coordinate and support drafting of internal quarterly reports and other Executive Team reports, as well as the external Annual Report, and ensure appropriate distribution; edit other organisational strategic and operational documents as required.

• Minute Board of Trustee, Executive and other internal meetings attended by the MD.

• Research and write internal and external briefs and reports to be used in national and international level communications.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for managing requests from various departments to the Managing Director, ensuring efficient communication and follow-through on tasks.

• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders to schedule and organise meetings for the MD.

• Organise MD’s travel, trustees’ visits, annual retreat and other events as requested. 

• Represent Afghanaid in advocacy and influencing forums and meetings.

• Assist the MD in monitoring performance indicators against strategic and operational plans.

• Support the communications focal point in the Kabul office, including taking photos and collecting case studies. 

• Perform other relevant duties as assigned and approved by the MD. 

PERSONAL SPECIFICATIONS

Essential

Education: 

• Master’s degree in relevant research-based discipline (Development, Anthropology, Policy and Research, International Relations or similar subjects) or an undergraduate degree with relevant experience.

Experience: 

• Writing high quality policy and communications documents for public use

• Practical experience in a similar role

• Working with high levels of autonomy

• Voluntary or work experience within international development or charity sector

• Managing relationships with a variety of different stakeholders

• Coordinating research projects

Skills:

• Excellent proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint), and familiarity with relevant AI tools

• Excellent written and spoken English (to native standard) 

• Strong conceptual and analytical skills

• Integrity, honesty, transparency and a firm commitment to professional standards of confidentiality

• Sense of humour, initiative and self-motivation, excellent teamwork and communications skills, ability to work collaboratively with others

• Sensitivity to Islamic culture and respect of Afghan customs and traditions, able to live and work in a diverse environment

• Outstanding organisational skills, able to communicate and collaboratively manage competing priorities

• Drive to achieve results and get things done

• Ability to deal with difficult, challenging work situations and remain calm under pressure

Desirable 

• Experience living, travelling or working in isolated and conflict locations/countries

• Firsthand understanding of the operating environment of humanitarian and development work in Afghanistan (or a similar context)

• Basic fluency in Dari or Pashto

Other Information

Afghanaid’s core values are creativity, fairness and honesty. Our staff are passionate about and proud of Afghanaid’s work. Teamwork is fundamental to our standards and demonstrated by taking initiative, assisting others and taking on additional responsibilities and tasks if necessary. We are results driven, committed and motivated to achieve targets and take accountability for our own actions. 

This position is based in Afghanaid’s head office in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Due to security considerations, this is an unaccompanied post. International employees are entitled to 22 annual leave days, 25 rest and relaxation days, 5 travel days and 13 public holidays per year. Afghanaid also provides a generous travel allowance for international staff to take R&R out of the country.

Our remuneration and benefits package is competitive with other similar organisations. 

You will be given a private room in the staff house where all Kabul-based international hired staff members live.

This position presents an excellent opportunity for someone who has the ambition and determination to gain a foothold in the international humanitarian relief and development sector and move up in their career.

Overview

Figurative is an independent charity dedicated to impact, investment and innovation in the cultural and creative sector. We bring together deep expertise through Arts & Culture Finance (formerly part of Nesta) and New Philanthropy for Arts & Culture to unlock new and innovative ways of funding and supporting the UK’s arts ecosystem.

Figurative manages three investment portfolios that have supported over 60 organisations and raised more than £30 million in investment capital over the last decade.

We believe arts and culture have the power to transform lives and communities. Our mission is to ensure cultural and creative organisations can thrive, test bold ideas, and build sustainable futures.

The Role

The Impact Assistant is a new role at Figurative that will primarily support work on the Arts & Culture Impact Fund (“ACIF”), an £18m social investment fund which seeks to enable enterprising arts, culture and heritage organisations to fulfil their missions through the use of flexible and risk-tolerant finance. The Impact Assistant will also contribute to Figurative’s emerging advisory work, providing impact development support to the creative and cultural sector.

Key Responsibilities

The demands of this role will be both fund (ACIF) specific and general to Figurative. You will play an important role in assessing and understanding the social impact enabled through ACIF. In particular, this includes:

• Providing administrative support in the monitoring of impact delivery and reporting requirements across a portfolio of investments to ensure requirements are met in a timely manner
• Working closely with Figurative’s Impact Lead and wider Investment team to develop new investment proposals to the ACIF investment committee
• Contributing to assessments of the expected impact of each investment proposal as part of the social impact due diligence process
• Supporting Figurative’s Impact Lead in the capacity development work of ACIF applicants and investees through a combination of desk research, face-to-face conversations and workshop facilitation to produce social impact related out outputs, including:
  • Evidence base summaries for a given intervention
  • Theories of change
  • Monitoring and Evaluation Frameworks Framework for M&E
  • Development Plans outlining output, outcome, and impact management aims & KPIs
• Supporting on the collection, analysis and reporting of social impact data on fund performance for Figurative’s internal and external stakeholders

The general Figurative duties will include:

• Supporting in the undertaking of advisory work for organisations operating in the creative and cultural sector to improve impact measurement and management practice
• Collaborating on the development of internal processes to ensure the efficient and effective management of impact and investment data
• Sharing learning with the wider arts & cultural sector around social impact evidence and best practice M&E approaches from the Figurative portfolio
• Supporting the wider Figurative team on matters relating to social impact across all its funds The Person

The Person

The role requires a self-starting and curious individual, with enthusiasm and commitment to growing social impact through arts, culture, heritage and social enterprise more broadly. Specifically, with the following:

Experience

• Practical experience supporting the delivery of projects or programmes, including the co-ordination of timelines, meetings and actions
• Experience in maintaining trackers or workplans across multiple workstreams
• Exposure to data collection, cleansing and analysis through different methods, such as evaluation scales, surveys or interviews
• Desirable: Experience facilitating workshops and group discussions, particularly relating to social impact to develop and embed monitoring, evaluation and learning approaches
• Desirable: professional or lived experience of the transformative social impact of arts & culture
• Desirable: experience of working with arts & cultural sector organisations
• Desirable: experience of social impact investing, in any capacity

Knowledge

• Sound knowledge of social impact related concepts, including monitoring and evaluation and theory of change
• An understanding of the opportunities and limitations of social impact monitoring and evaluation, particularly in the arts
• Desirable: networks in the social impact and/or arts and culture sector

Skills

• Ability to prioritise tasks across multiple projects or workstreams, tracking progress against outputs, outcomes and deadlines
• Quantitative and/or qualitative analysis skills
• Internal and external stakeholder co-ordination skills, including diary management, scheduling meetings, document management and action logging
• Critical thinking skills, to support analysis, interrogation, and development of organisational theories of change
• Ability to self-motivate, prioritise within a complex workload, and deliver work to tight deadlines
• Clear and cogent writing, to a wide and diverse range of audiences
• Strong verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex issues concisely and compellingly to a wide range of audiences

Attitude

• Collaborative team-player, proactively engaging colleagues in dealing with complex challenges
• Curious and open minded critical-thinker, comfortable in providing constructive challenge
• Well organised and conscientious, able to deliver work in a timely and thoughtful manner
• Personable and supportive, willing to help internal and external colleagues to achieve their goals

What We Offer

• Salary: £30,000 FTE depending on experience
• Location: Hybrid working arrangement based at Somerset House in central London, with flexibility and some travel within the UK
• Hours: 4 days/week (0.8 FTE)
• Reports to: Impact Lead
• Benefits:
  • 25 days annual leave + bank holidays + ability to buy additional holiday(pro rata for part time employees)       
  • Pension (Employer Contribution 8% + a further 4% where the employee contributes 4%)
  • Life Assurance 
  • Post probation - Private health and dental insurance

Making an Application

To apply for this role, please submit your application (CV and covering letter) before midnight Sunday 22nd February 2026.

Please note that we actively screen for AI-generated applications. We are looking for authentic, personal responses that reflect your own experiences and motivations.

First interviews will be held virtually on Thursday 5th March 2026.

Second interviews will be held in person in our London offices on Thursday 12th March 2026.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and particularly encourage those who are underrepresented in the investment sector to apply.

I look forward to hearing from you

Nick Wilsdon

Impact Lead

Retail assistant manager

£12.78 - £14.91

Reports to: Shop manager

Department: Trading

Contract: Permanent

Working hours: Part time 15 hours per week

Location: Sleaford

Closing date: Open until filled. We will be shortlisting on a rolling basis and will close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications

Please note: You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply for this vacancy. Cancer Research UK is not able to offer visa sponsorship. 

**The internal title for this role is Assistant Shop Manager.

At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer.

Nestled in the beautiful market town of Sleaford, our Cancer Research UK Sleaford shop is the community’s hub for all things donated and second hand.

We’re looking for a motivated retail professional to join us as an Assistant Shop Manager.  You’ll act as an ambassador for Cancer Research UK, supporting the shop manager and your team to maximise income through people, resources and stock.

You’ll bring strong customer service experience, thrive in a lively, fast paced retail environment and have some experience of supervising, coaching or motivating junior colleagues.

It’s a great opportunity to work in your local area for a trusted employee, as well as a great development opportunity giving you  the opportunity to stand in for the Shop Manager in their absence

In a lively, vibrant working environment, you’ll discover something new every day, whether it’s a new high street trend, a new community network or a talent you never knew you had.

You’ll also be surrounded by people who are as dedicated to beating cancer as you are.  

What will I be doing?

• Supporting the shop manager to guide, inspire and engage a diverse team of paid staff and volunteers.
• Support the commercial running of the store including display and merchandising, stock management, maintaining shop standards, store layout, sales and income. 
• Leading by example and providing excellent customer and supporter service.
• Work alongside the shop manager to achieve targets for donated stock, cash, gift aid, average selling price, sell through and stock processing.
• Creating relationships with your local community and Cancer Research UK colleagues.
• Supporting the shop manager in the organisation and delivery of creative fundraising events for your store to achieve fundraising targets.
• Maintaining compliance with health and safety, safeguarding, security, administration and HR policies.
• Deputising for the shop manager in their absence.

What skills are you looking for?

• A working knowledge of what makes great customer service.
• Experience of working in a lively and vibrant environment.
• Adaptability in changing situations, including being able to work effectively independently.    
• Commercial awareness.
• The ability to create relationships and communicate well.
• And ideally supervisor experience, and experience of working in, or an understanding of retail and fashion.

[Download the full role profile] 

What will I gain?

Each and every one of our employees contributes to our progress and is supporting our work to beat cancer. We think that’s impressive.

In return, we make sure you are supported by a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high-quality tools, policies and processes to enable you to do your job well.

Our benefits package includes a substantial retirement plan, a generous and flexible leave allowance, discounts on anything from travel to technology, gym membership, and much more.

Our work – from funding cutting-edge research to developing public policy – will change the world. It’s exciting to be part of our team.

How do I apply?

We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. CVs are required for all applications; but we won’t be able to view them until we invite you for an interview. Instead, we ask you to complete the work history section of the online application form for us to be able to assess you quickly, fairly and objectively.

Our retail teams cover the needs of their stores by working on a rota basis. Whilst a level of flexibility is needed to meet the needs of the business, we don’t forget that you have a life outside of work too.

Owing to the nature of this position, any offer of employment for this role will be subject to a satisfactory basic DBS check.

We are looking for someone who is organised, proactive, and motivated to support fundraising through high quality research and insight. You’ll be confident managing multiple tasks at once, comfortable working to deadlines, and able to adapt when priorities shift.

Strong organisational and time management skills are essential, as is the ability to communicate clearly and present information in a concise, user friendly way.

Community Fundraiser – South East (Kent, Surrey or Sussex)​​

​​We are really excited to have welcomed our new Director of Income Generation and Development to Brain Tumour Research this month, a great new start for the new year!​

This is a fantastic time to be joining our ambitious and growing charity and we are keen to share this with likeminded and talented individuals. We currently have an opening for a Community Fundraiser, to be based in the South East region.​

As the Community Fundraiser covering the South East you will play a crucial role in helping the charity meet its strategic plans and objectives, which include campaigning to increase the national investment in brain tumour research to £35 million per year, while fundraising to create a network of seven sustainable Brain Tumour Research Centres of Excellence across the UK.  Your role will be to generate and grow our income through community fundraising activities, contributing to a regional team target of more than £1.5 million.

​

• Do you want to make a difference in one of the most innovative and exciting medical research fundraising charities in the UK?
• Do you live in Kent, Surrey or Sussex?
• Do you have at least one years' experience of working in a professional Community Fundraising position?​

​

Have you answered Yes to these questions?

Does this sound like the opportunity to really get 2026 off to an amazing start? ​​

If you have the skills and ambition that we are looking for we welcome your application.  We are really looking forward to welcoming a new member to our team!​

​​​We reserve the right to close the application window early and advise candidates to apply in good time to avoid disappointment.

​

We are looking for people who share our passion for finding a cure for brain tumours and who have the skills and experience to make a difference. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, cultures, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and ages. We believe that diversity enriches our organisation and helps us achieve our mission. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can be themselves and contribute to our vision.

​

​​We are really excited to have welcomed our new Director of Income Generation and Development to Brain Tumour Research this month, a great new start for the new year!​

This is a fantastic time to be joining our ambitious and growing charity and we are keen to share this with likeminded and talented individuals. We currently have an opening for a Community Fundraiser, to be based in the East Anglia region.​

As the Community Fundraiser covering East Anglia you will play a crucial role in helping the charity meet its strategic plans and objectives, which include campaigning to increase the national investment in brain tumour research to £35 million per year, while fundraising to create a network of seven sustainable Brain Tumour Research Centres of Excellence across the UK.  Your role will be to generate and grow our income through community fundraising activities, contributing to a regional team target of more than £1.5 million.​

• Do you want to make a difference in one of the most innovative and exciting medical research fundraising charities in the UK?
• Do you live in Cambridgeshire, Norfolk or Suffolk?
• Do you have at least one years' experience of working in a professional Community Fundraising position?​

​

Have you answered Yes to these questions?

Does this sound like the opportunity to really get 2026 off to an amazing start? ​

If you are excited to learn more about this position, please take a read through our recruitment pack which is attached in this advert.​​

If you have the skills and ambition that we are looking for we welcome your application.  We are really looking forward to welcoming a new member to our team!

​

We are asking for a CV as the first step but applicants may be asked to provide a targeted covering letter as part of the selection process.  Interviews will be conducted during the application window as appropriate, and will consist of a first interview via MS Teams, progressing, if successful to a face to face second interview, held at our offices in Milton Keynes.​​

​We reserve the right to close the application window early and advise candidates to apply in good time to avoid disappointment.​

We are looking for people who share our passion for finding a cure for brain tumours and who have the skills and experience to make a difference. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, cultures, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and ages. We believe that diversity enriches our organisation and helps us achieve our mission. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can be themselves and contribute to our vision.

​

Job Title: Policy and Advocacy Manager

Position Type: Maternity Cover

Reports to: Founder/Chief Executive

Based at: School Food Matters, Blackfriars Settlement 9 Rushworth Street SE1 0RB

Salary: £40,500

Working Hours: 9am-5pm (flexible)

Pension: School Food Matters pays pension contributions at 7% of pensionable earnings

Holiday: 31 days including bank holidays

School Food Matters is closed between Christmas and New Year

Job Purpose

· To lead and shape School Food Matters’ policy and advocacy strategy, ensuring our voice influences national and local decision-making on school food and food education

· To design and deliver campaigns that support and advance SFM’s mission

· To line manage the Policy and Communications Assistant and Press and Communications Officer

Key Tasks

· Lead and provide strategic input to campaigns, convene groups and partnerships

· Represent SFM at external meetings and coalitions such as the School Food Review

· Monitor, analyse and interpret relevant research, policy developments and news, identifying implications or opportunities for SFM

· Oversee the strategic direction of SFM’s external affairs and communications, ensuring all policy, campaigns, and public messaging align with the charity’s mission and priorities

· Provide policy research and analysis to support the activities of the School Food Review

· Oversee meetings and governance for the School Food Alliance

· Provide policy and communications expertise for the Food Education Network workstreams

· Represent SFM at relevant policy consultations, meetings and conferences to influence and inform policy discussions, and deliver presentations as required

· Lead drafting of responses to government consultations

· Working closely with the Press and Communications Officer, provide insights to inform timely media responses to policy developments

· Ensure colleagues are regularly briefed on policy activities, priorities and messages, and run internal workshops to keep them up to date with the school food sector

· Provide strategic input to meeting content for the School Food Review, and support the Policy and Communications Assistant to organise meetings for workstreams

· Oversee the development web content, articles, blogs and newsletter content by the Press and Communications Officer and the Policy and Communications Assistant

· Keep up to date with safeguarding requirements and reporting procedures

· Maintain the ethos of the charity and positively promote our work at all times

· The Policy and Advocacy Manager will also undertake any other tasks relevant to the affairs of SFM that may arise from time to time.  Therefore, being flexible and approaching the job with an open and positive mindset is essential!

Person Specification

Essential

· Experience of research and analysis, ideally in a policy environment

· General knowledge of issues around school food, children’s health and food education

· Comprehensive understanding of the UK’s political system

· Experience of coordinating policy/research-based projects

· Experience designing, coordinating and delivering campaigns

· Experience of working in coalitions

· Strong interpersonal skills and ability to maintain relationships with a range of individuals and organisations

· Confident and competent IT skills across Office suite of programmes

· Exceptional oral and written communication skills in fluent spoken and written English, with strong attention to detail and the ability to translate complex data and policies into accessible language and engaging stories and communication materials

· Strong understanding media landscape and social media platforms to oversee the communications activity of the organisation

· Ability to work independently, with high levels of self-motivation

· Good project management, time management and organisational skills and the ability to work under pressure and to meet deadlines

· Energy, enthusiasm, creativity and tenacity

Desirable

· Strong knowledge of the public health, food and education policy landscape

· Experience managing others

· Experience managing projects

· Experience managing meetings

· Experience of working with Drupal CMS

· Experience of working within a network or coalition of campaigning organisations

· Established contacts with media outlets/journalists/bloggers

· Digital campaigning and social networking skills

· Experience writing news articles and blog posts with clear structure, purpose and an engaging narrative

· Experience managing or supervising team members to deliver communications projects effectively

Help power life-changing support through excellent financial operations

Future Dreams is a pioneering UK charity providing psychological, practical, and emotional support to people diagnosed with breast cancer. We also champion early detection through breast health masterclasses and fund vital research into secondary breast cancer.

Based at Future Dreams House in King’s Cross — our welcoming breast cancer support centre — we deliver a vibrant programme of in-person and online services, community activities, and one-to-one support with specialist nurses, counsellors, and therapists. Everything we do is driven by one clear belief: nobody should face breast cancer alone, or without hope.

We are now looking for a Finance Assistant to join our growing team and play a key role in strengthening our in-house finance function.

About the role

This is a fantastic opportunity for an organised, detail-driven finance professional who wants to develop their career within a purpose-led charity.

Working closely with the Finance Manager, you will support the smooth day-to-day running of our finance operations, ensuring transactions are processed accurately and on time, records are well maintained, and financial controls are consistently applied. You’ll contribute to reliable reporting, support audit and compliance activity, and help build efficient processes that enable the charity to operate effectively.

You will also work collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation and liaise with suppliers and external stakeholders, becoming a trusted part of a friendly, supportive team that values accuracy, integrity, and continuous improvement.

What we offer

• Salary of £30,000 – £35,000 per annum (depending on experience)
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Additional one-week paid shutdown over Christmas and New Year
• Hybrid working (a mix of office-based and remote working)
• Free weekly yoga sessions
• A warm, inclusive working environment in a mission-driven organisation

Salary: £38,346 -£42,544 per annum (depending on experience and skill level)

Contract length: Permanent

Location: Remote/ Hybrid – Oxfordshire preferable but open to other locations within catchment area, flexible working.

Responsible to: Programme Manager Catchment Partnerships, or directly to Assistant Head of Improving Rivers / Head of Improving Rivers

About Thames21

Thames21 is an environmental charity which works across London and the Thames Basin to deliver high-impact nature-based solutions to the climate and biodiversity crisis by restoring rivers, whilst also connecting communities to their local green-blue spaces and inspiring long-term stewardship of them. 

Diversity at Thames21

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at Thames21 is key to our success and as such we employ staff from a diverse range of backgrounds, this we feel is key in ensuring that everybody has an equal opportunity and is not treated differently or discriminated against because of their characteristics. We value the voices of our individual employees, and we strive to work in a collaborative, innovative balanced way. The postholder must actively support this.

 Purpose of the job

To drive forward Thames21’s ‘Thames Valley’ (broadly Oxfordshire/ Buckinghamshire/ Berkshire) catchment areas programme in line with our 5-year plan and future strategies ensuring appropriate integration across Thames21 and partner organisations. This includes building and sustaining a team to reduce diffuse pollution, increase biodiversity, improve water quality, and support agricultural businesses to deliver environmental improvement works and nature friendly farming practices.

The postholder requires operational experience and knowledge at catchment scale as well as project and people management experience. They will take a strategic overview of the programme and guide our growth in the thematical and geographical area, with a particular focus on the following outcomes.

• Work with 20 farmers each year to reduce diffuse pollution at source and flood risk.
• Offer advice on nature-based solutions and grant funding to farmers and landowners.
• Plant 30,000 trees annually.
• Input and support the achievement of other applicable 5-year plan targets. i.e. River restoration and catchment scale monitoring.
• Increase Thames21 presence in the Thames Valley, identifying opportunities, supporting, and complimenting the work of other NGOs and regional Rivers Trusts.

The role is a relatively new area of work for Thames21 and may consist of supporting a range of projects and programmes including Catchment Partnerships, Farm Clusters and Natural Flood Management.

Finally, the postholder will take a lead in progressing Thames21’s resilience strategy i.e. working closely with the Fundraising Team, the Catchment Partnership Team, and partner organisations to increase private and public investment to deliver healthy resilient rivers and catchments.

Additional requirements may include supporting other Thames21 projects and funding applications, as the need arises.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

You will oversee and manage the delivery of diverse projects. You will also develop your team’s scope, strategy and action plan in order to grow the team to deliver 5-year plan targets work closely with expert (e.g. statutory bodies, authorities, NGOs and academics) and non-expert (e.g. community groups and volunteers) stakeholders to develop, fund and deliver projects within the catchments, and oversee their management.  You will also work closely with the Assistant/ Head of Improving Rivers and other members of the Thames21 team to develop funding applications and steer the direction of the catchment areas.

Tasks include:

 · Programme Development & Integration

Develop and expand the Thames Valley catchment programme in line with Thames21’s 5-year strategy, ensuring integration with other teams.

 · Funding & Financial Management

Secure diverse funding sources and manage project budgets, including financial reporting and cost tracking to meet objectives.

· Project & Risk Management

Lead project delivery, monitor progress, and identify risk mitigation strategies to ensure continued success.

· Team Leadership & Staff Development

Manage and support staff through training, appraisals, workload balancing, and adherence to health and safety requirements.

 · Stakeholder Engagement

Build and maintain relationships with internal teams, funding bodies, landowners and other external stakeholders.

 · Technical & Farm Advisory Support

Provide farm advice, generate reports (including GIS mapping), and maintain a database of visits and environmental opportunities.

· Catchment-Based Approach Advocacy

Promote and apply catchment-based principles internally and externally in water and land management.

 · Health, Safety & Compliance

Ensure compliance with health and safety policies and broader regulatory requirements across all projects.

 · Information & Data Management

Maintain accurate documentation and project data systems, supporting transparency and accountability.

· Promotion & Communications

Support production of publicity materials and represent Thames21’s work to broader audiences.

 Other Duties

This job description cannot cover every issue or task that may arise within Thames21. At various times the post-holder will be directed to carry out other reasonable duties in support of other Thames21 activities that are consistent with those in this Job Description.

We’re looking for a Governance, Risk and Compliance Assistant to support Battersea’s Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) function to drive robust risk management, high quality governance practices and diligent Data Protection services.

The role reports into the Governance and Environmental Sustainability Team and will work across three of the managers in the team providing administrative, operational and project support and co-ordination.

This role is critical in maintaining accurate records, monitoring progress, and supporting timely reviews to meet regulatory and internal standards.

What we can offer you:

In return for your commitment to our cause and to recognise the value of our employees, Battersea offers a range of benefits to support the wellbeing of our employees. These include:

• 28 days of annual leave (plus 8 days paid public holidays) per year
• Discounted gym membership and cycle to work schemes
• Employee Assistance Programme and access to Wellbeing Resources
• Generous pension contributions - up to 10% employer contribution
• Free healthcare cash plan, where you can claim for a range of treatment including dental, optical, physiotherapy, chiropody and acupuncture every year
• Annual interest-free season ticket loans

We are also committed to providing learning and development to our employees. During your time with us, we provide support for your professional and career development, including access to digital and in-person training programmes, leadership and management training, mentoring and much more.

Our hybrid working model:

We operate a 50% onsite hybrid working model, with our office-based staff splitting their time between site based and home working. This enables our office-based staff to balance the benefits of home working with onsite collaboration and maintaining a connection to our cause.

Diversity and inclusion:

We are committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive experience for all staff, volunteers and trustees and those hoping to join us. We operate an anonymised shortlisting process and actively seek to ensure our process is fair and equitable for all.

We understand the value of diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences to help us deliver even more for our dogs and cats, and we welcome applicants from all sections of the community.

As a Disability Confident Committed Employer we will ask about any adjustments you may need at application and/or interview stage, and if you are offered a role with us, we’ll talk to you about any workplace adjustments you may need to help you perform at your best. If you would like to talk more about this, please contact us. Greyscale copies of the recruitment pack are also available on request.

More about us:

At Battersea, we aim to never turn away a dog or cat in need of help. We give each one lots of love, expert care and get to know their characters and quirks so we can find them a new home that’s just right for them. Join us and help us be here for every dog and cat, wherever they are, for as long as they need us.

Acceptable use of AI:

At Battersea, we value expertise. We recognise each candidate that applies to us will have a range of expertise they can offer us, so we want to hear about this in your own words. We understand the support that generative artificial intelligence (AI) software can offer but it can also lead to numerous applications presenting as generic and impersonal. This makes it difficult to gain understanding of your unique experience.

To best showcase yourself, we encourage you to write your responses without the assistance of AI. If you require the use of AI software to aid in completing your application, we ask you use the generative responses as a prompt for writing your answers and avoid copying and pasting. You must also ensure the information presented in your application accurately reflects your experience.

Closing date: 26th February 2026

All applications must be submitted before the closing date advertised. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications is received.

Interview Date(s): To be confirmed (two stages, one online and one in person)

For full details on the role, please download the recruitment pack..

Job title: Programme Assistant, Enquiries 

Line manager: Team Leader, Enquiries (Senior Officer, Enquiries in Team Leader’s absence) 

Salary: £30,000 

Type of contract: Permanent 

Start date: 16th February 2026 or shortly thereafter 

Benefits: 

• Challenging and rewarding work, always life-changing, sometimes lifesaving 

• Competitive salary 

• Team and individual training opportunities 

• Commitment to performance and personal development 

• Hybrid working, home and office (minimum 2 days each week in the office) 

• Eight hours each day Monday – Friday, with flexible working by arrangement around core hours of 10am – 4pm 

• 25 days plus Bank Holidays annual leave entitlement 

• 8% employer pension contribution 

• Convenient office location at Elephant and Castle, close to Tube (Bakerloo and Northern lines) and bus routes 

Role purpose statement: The Programme Assistant, Enquiries plays a vital role in the Fellowship Programme working directly with academics facing immediate risk in their home countries to carry out due diligence or signposting. This includes managing an individual caseload, dealing with prospective applications and general enquiries, providing administrative support to the Enquiries team as well as support across the Fellowship Programme when needed. 

Organisational Background 

The Council for At-Risk Academics is a UK-registered charity founded in 1933 under the leadership of William Beveridge, to rescue academics suffering persecution under the rise of Nazism and facilitate their continued work in safety. Sixteen Cara Fellows from the 1930s and 1940s became Nobel Laureates, and many more innovators in their fields, including, Nikolaus Pevsner, Lise Meitner and Karl Popper. A number of Cara’s founders and Council members also personally provided places and/or funds to help individual academics; and Cara, known in the 1930s as the AAC, later the SPSL, was closely involved in the successful effort in 1933 to bring to London the Warburg Institute art library, which had been prohibited by the Nazis, and six of its staff. The Fellowship Programme is the continuation of the rescue mission operation started in 1933. 

Cara has been a lifeline to academics at risk for over 90 years, as and when world events have placed them in the line of fire: Hungarian Uprising, Cold War, Apartheid South Africa, Iran, Latin American Juntas, Vietnam, Kosovo, DRC, Rwanda, Sudan, Zimbabwe etc. and, more recently Iraq, Turkey, Yemen, Palestine, Syria, Afghanistan and Ukraine. Cara support is typically framed as temporary sanctuary offered at times of heightened risk. 

Cara Objectives ‘To assist academics who have been, or are, or are at risk of being, subject to discrimination, persecution, suffering or violence on account of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion, to relieve needs among them and their dependants and ensure that their specialist knowledge and abilities can continue to be used for the benefit of the public.’ 

‘To advance education by supporting academics and their educational institutions in countries where their continuing work is at risk or compromised, to ensure that such academics and institutions can continue to fulfil their critical role as educators for the public benefit.’ 

This is a critical time to join our dedicated and friendly Fellowship Programme team as we expand our capacity to support at-risk academics from the Middle East, Sudan, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Russia and many other countries. 

Role & Responsibilities  

Casework  

• Signposting prospective applicants to the application form. 

• Manage own caseload, preparing cases for eligibility review, including arranging calls to speak with applicants, booking English language tests, and gathering all relevant documentation.

• Escalating complex cases to the Team Leader as required. 

• Maintain accurate and GDPR-Compliant records of casework activity. 

• Researching international affairs to develop understanding about risks applicants face. 

• Researching potential hosts for academic placements and liaising with external stakeholders in relation to applicants. 

• Attend weekly case review meetings with the team. 

Administration   

• Provide general administrative and logistical support, including answering phone enquiries. 

• Manage the general enquiries inbox, alongside another colleague, answering emails about the enquiries’ process, the Fellowship Programme and Cara. 

• Signpost enquiries to relevant colleagues internally and to other organisations where applicable. 

• Contribute to report writing. 

• Present and collect data on general enquiries and applications to the Programme. 

• Ensure safekeeping of confidential information. 

• Maintain excellent detailed records of correspondence, documents, and activities. 

• Provide administrative support to colleagues on projects as required.

Managerial Support  

• Contributing to Fellowship Programme policy changes and decision-making. 

• Provide advice and guidance to colleagues. 

Ad Hoc Responsibilities  

• Show adaptability and willingness to take on additional work when necessary. 

• Support the Fellowship Programme and Cara as a whole with ad hoc responsibilities.

Responsibilities also include related activities that might arise in relation to the Fellowship Programme as required by the Chief Executive and Deputy Chief Executive & Fellowship Programme Manager, and other senior colleagues. 

Person Specification 

Essential:  

• Bachelor’s degree 

• Fluent English (spoken and written) 

• Proactive with a willingness to learn 

• Confident and empathetic with strong interpersonal and communication skills 

• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment 

• Keen team player who is ready to support and help colleagues 

• Excellent record keeping and attention to detail 

• Ability to work independently and in a team 

• Good time management with ability to prioritise and independently work to deadlines 

• Understanding of issues of confidentiality

• Interest in and commitment to the work of Cara 

• Confident use of Microsoft package 

• Awareness of current global issues

• Ability to handle difficult conversations with sensitivity and resilience 

Desirable 

• Master’s or equivalent experience 

• Casework experience 

• Arabic language skills are desirable. Other foreign languages (such as Farsi/Dari, Pashto, Ukrainian and Russian) will also be considered 

• Salesforce/CRM software experience 

• Experience in a supporting role with people with lived experience of forced migration or other forms of severe adversity